Ever since I went to college in snowy South Bend, Indiana, I think I’ve had a low-grade form of seasonal affective disorder, or the winter blues. Every January and February, I notice my spirits going down, and spring feels so far away. Diseases are in the air, invading school, home, and my family’s immune systems,… Read More 6 Things I’m Doing to Get Through the Winter Blues

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” ― Mahatma Gandhi When I was in 8th grade, I remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank, the words of a girl just about my age changing… Read More Teaching about the Holocaust in Middle School

Because it’s November and I wanted to look at animal pictures instead of doing anything productive — here is an assortment of photos where I could #relate so hard. 1. Well, I guess I’m reteaching this lesson. 2. …There may be an opportunity for extra credit… 3. I know my pen (pencil/paper/important copies/last piece of… Read More 27 Animal Photos that Explain the Life of a Teacher

Every quarter, my students and I will choose a writing goal that they will apply to all their assignments. Inevitably, there will be students who are relatively strong in all areas of writing, and it’s not immediately apparent what their goal needs to be. Some students have naively told me “I have nothing I can… Read More Taking Writing to the “Next Level” in Middle School

We English teachers know from multitudes of research, books, peers, administrators, and the general teaching ecosphere that we are supposed to incorporate grammar into students’ writing. However, during our daily grind, this can be difficult. We have certain concepts we’re supposed to cover in our curriculum, certain types of writing students are supposed to produce,… Read More A Step by Step Way to Assess Grammar in Writing

I spelled my name incorrectly on the Class Identification Sheet. (Obviously, I caught it, though.) Someone left a bag of hard candy in my room, and I took some and ate them. I started reading directions out of a student booklet before catching myself. Every time I ask the students “Does anyone have any… Read More Confessions of a Teacher during Standardized Testing Week

Here is a music video to play in the background while you read this post: I love the rare moments where the whole class has been working in small groups or partners, and at some point, everyone miraculously ends their sentence at the same time and there is the most beautiful quiet that pervades the room. Everyone… Read More The Importance of Silence in the Classroom

Dear Student, I was like you once. Actually, if I were a student, I know I am still inclined to be like you. Learning and engaged, but will not raise my hand. Comfortable in my head and on paper, but not out loud. Social interactions with a person or small group I can handle; talking… Read More A Letter to my Quiet Student

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